How to learn about laser vision correction without being sold

How to learn about laser vision correction without being sold Laser vision correction is a medical procedure aimed to help you see clearly. With so much information on the internet, how do you find out about Laser vision correction? Where do you go to research the procedure and how it works? How do you make yourself comfortable enough to finally contact a laser vision correction practice to being the process? ARSC, or the American Refractive Surgery Council, has a few pointers that may help you out.  EYE ON HEALTH Going Online To Learn About Laser Vision Correction

(NAPSI)-Social networks and blogs have taken the information-rich resources of the Internet and made them a part of everyday conversation: According to a recent Pew Internet study, 80 percent of Internet users, or 59 percent of U.S. adults, look online for health information. Networks like Facebook, review sites such as HealthGrades and Yelp, and comments and questions posted online are extremely useful tools for researching personal health matters. Popular topics of inquiry include learning about procedures, specific medical conditions, understanding treatment options and finding a doctor. When considering an elective procedure, such as vision correction with laser vision correction, having access to online resources can make becoming an informed patient much easier. The American Refractive Surgery Council offers these tips on using the Internet and social networking to research whether laser vision correction is right for you. • Use Facebook and other social networks to ask friends and followers about their laser vision correction experiences. Were they happy? What surgeon would they recommend? • If you're curious about exactly how the surgery is performed, you can check out surgery videos on YouTube or Vimeo. These videos of actual procedures can be very instructive (though be warned, they are graphic). Also, many surgeons post procedure videos on their sites. • Use forums, message boards and other online discussions to hear from other people firsthand. Literally thousands of communities have formed around common areas of interest where laser vision correction can make a difference-from parents to outdoor enthusiasts. This is a great avenue for finding people who share your interests and hearing about their experiences with the procedure. • You can find out about prices online; just remember, getting a great deal should not be the deciding factor for any surgical procedure. A consultation with a refractive surgeon should be balanced, detailed and personalized to you and your vision. It should never feel like a sales process. • Use authoritative medical websites such as WebMD or the Mayo Clinic to learn about the procedure. Research the risks as well as the benefits and understand what the procedure can and can't do. For example laser,  can free you from glasses and contact lenses-or reduce your dependence on them. But it has limitations. In particular, laser vision correction can't stop the aging process. Your eyes will continue to age and you may need glasses for reading at some point in the future. Finally, some common sense about using the Internet: Because anyone can put anything on the Web, the source matters. Make sure the information you are relying on to make a medical decision comes from a credible source and that you verify the information with your surgeon or personal physician. Learn more at www.americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org. Information online and in social networks can help you make up your mind about laser vision correction.

Visit our website or call 415-921-7555 for more information.

Be a Positive Role Model for Kids by Enjoying Life to its Fullest

      April 25, 2013 marks the 20^th Anniversary of the “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day” program. Over the years this educational program has had several objectives, including:

• Exposing children to what parents/mentors do at work
• Showing children the value of education
• Helping children discover the power of a balanced work and home life
• Helping children envision their future and take steps toward their own goals

We applaud this program and congratulate the organization and everyone who has participated in the event on one level or another.

Children see adults as role models, whether we are cognizant of this or not. Being a productive member of society is one way to be a positive influence; emitting strong self-confidence, even happiness, is another. 

When you feel good about yourself – both inside and out – you project positive vibes to everyone around you. Children have an uncanny ability to pick up on these vibes and internalize them to themselves.

If you are constantly hassling with glasses or contacts – or even avoiding certain activities because it’s too difficult to see without your corrective lenses, those negative feelings can be unconsciously transferred to the children around you. Laser vision correction eye surgery can give you freedom from these aggravations, helping you enjoy life more fully. Just picture yourself with 20/20 vision swimming, skiing or playing at the park with your kids. What a great gift to give yourself and the younger people around you.

With the advances in laser vision correction technologies and laser vision correction financing options, more people than ever can eliminate their nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Take the first step in discovering if laser vision correction can give you 20/20 vision. Contact our doctors at Pacific Eye Specialists to schedule your laser vision correction Consultation. Call 415-921-7555 or visit pacificeyespecialists.com.

Make Your Tax Refund Really Count: Invest in Your Vision

It’s hard to believe that April 15 (yes, Tax Day!) is just around the corner. Hopefully you’ve almost finished your taxes and have an idea what kind of refund is coming your way.

Did you know the average tax refund in 2012 was $2,700? Regardless of how much you have coming, you’re probably thinking of ways to spend your windfall. Here’s the thing: You could spend your refund on new furniture, a 60” plasma TV, vacations or shopping sprees. But these purchases are fleeting.

If you have vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism and have to wear glasses or contact lenses to see clearly for reading, driving or working, you could put your tax refund toward the ultimate goal of 20/20 (or better) vision. Laser vision correction eye surgery has made this a reality for literally millions of Americans. The average cost of laser vision correction is anywhere from $1,600 per eye for non-customized LASER VISION CORRECTION to $2,500 per eye for customized wavefront-guided procedures. It may seem like a bit much, but we offer 0% and low interest laser vision correction financing options to make it really affordable. And if you put your tax refund check toward laser vision correction, you could save a substantial chunk off the cost.

Maybe your vision problems have stemmed from growing older, such as the formation of cataracts. Constantly cloudy vision, halos, light glare and even double vision can really impede your quality of life. Cataract surgery can eliminate those symptoms. While insurance often covers the cost of cataract surgery and Monofocal Intraocular Implants (IOLs) (that’s vision for one distance only), you can spend a little extra on Premium Lens Implants to remove the cataracts and gain vision for all distances, effectively eliminating your need for reading glasses (presbyopia) at the same time.

Of course, you can’t run out and spend your tax refund on better vision until you’ve had a comprehensive eye exam to determine the root cause of your vision problems.

Your new vision could last a lifetime. That would leave you plenty of time to spend your future tax refunds on new furniture, 80” plasma TVs, vacations or shopping sprees…you’ll enjoy them even more without glasses, contact lenses or cloudy vision.

Contact Pacific Eye Specialists to schedule your Vision Consultation so we can diagnose your unique situation and recommend an appropriate course of action. Call 415-921-7555 or visit pacificeyespecialists.com.

Laser Vision Correction and Your Astigmatism

Many people hear that they have astigmatism and it means almost nothing to them except the fact that they cannot see well. Astigmatism is a little harder to correct than just simple nearsightedness or farsightedness. Glasses and contacts may help, but only while you are wearing them.

What is Astigmatism?

Your eyeball is a round sphere. When you are looking at something, your eye detects the light reflected off of the object. This light enters your eye through the cornea, where it is then refracted onto the retina. The retina then sends images to your brain. 

If your cornea is not a perfect circle shape, it can distort the light and make it so the light does not reach the retina accurately.

For someone who has astigmatism, their cornea is slight oblong, or shaped more like a football. This results in the person seeing images as extremely blurry.

Can laser vision correction correct astigmatism?

Many optometrists, or eye doctors, tell their patients that laser vision correction cannot correct astigmatism. This is untrue.

LASER VISION CORRECTION CAN correct astigmatism

However, in order to be 100% sure that laser vision correction can correct your personal degree of astigmatism, you must have a LASER VISION CORRECTION exam. It’s the only true way to find out if laser vision correction can help.

How LASER VISION CORRECTION Corrects Astigmatism

An ophthalmologist  eye surgeon, can correct astigmatism with a laser vision correction laser. The laser will reshape the cornea into a round shape, thus allowing light to accurately refract directly on the retina.

Our laser vision correction patients are amazed that as soon as the surgery is over, they can see more clearly than they ever have before. The correction with laser vision correction is fast and permanent. You’ll be able to see clearly right away.

Visit our website or call us at 415-921-7555 for more information on laser vision correction.